California
|
July 21, 2023
Share:
Six pose together at the Getty

 

While students pushed themselves intellectually in Thursday鈥檚 morning discussion, the afternoon was ripe with delight in the fine arts. The California High School Summer Program took a trip to Los Angeles, with stops at the and the !

After lunch, the group made the 65-mile southbound trip in a convoy of charter buses and vans, arriving early in the afternoon. They then split into groups to wander the museum鈥檚 wings and pavilions with autonomy to appreciate every work on display.

Photos: The Getty
  • Several pose for a photo under sunbrellas
  • Students study the map
  • Two admire a small sculpture in bronze
  • A student before an ornate miror and matching vase and pitcher collection
  • Two study a sequence of Impressionist works
  • Two study a portrait
  • A student smiles as she admires a bust of Fontaine
  • Three look at what appear to be 17-18th century French works
  • Several walk about in a portraiture section
  • Five sit on a bench
  • Four pose together
  • Six pose together afront the Getty vista
  • Many stand at the railing
  • Two admire a Bouguereau
  • Several gaze, seated, at a painting
  • A prefect smiles for the camera
  • Five seated on an outdoor bench
  • Three pose together
  • Eight pose together, shoulders linked
  • Fr. Walshe poses with a student

The exhibits were a feast for the mind and soul 鈥 St. Thomas鈥檚 definition proved true, the greatest of works delighting all who saw them 鈥 as internationally sourced paintings, spanning centuries, were on display. Religious art, revolutionary impressionism, and more sparked thoughtful contemplation and conversation.

Enriched by the experience, it was on to dinner. The group headed to a park next to the Hollywood Bowl to feast on submarine sandwiches. Conversations were initially about the Getty but soon turned toward excitement for , which, for many, would be their first classical concert.

Photos: Dinner
  • Fr. Walshe leads grace
  • Seven smile for the camera around a box of Jersey Mike's sub sandwiches
  • Two pose together
  • Two prefects distribute subs
  • Students feast on subs and Gatorade
  • Students devour subs
  • Students chat over subs
  • Students enjoy subs
  • Four eat subs
  • Students reach in to grab another succulent Jersey Mike's sub from the box
  • Students eat subs
  • A student takes a swig of Gatorade
  • Long shot of students at picnic tables
  • Five chat

The night鈥檚 performance was from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which began by playing Prokofiev鈥檚 Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 25. The orchestra then moved on to Tchaikovsky鈥檚 Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33, featuring virtuoso cellist Alisa Weilerstein, concluding with the Philharmonic鈥檚 performance of selections from Prokofiev鈥檚 Romeo and Juliet.

Photos: The Hollywood Bowl
  • A student in a cowboy hat gives a thumbs up
  • Students in the benches
  • Students eat popcorn
  • Students in the benches
  • Students in the benches
  • Two pose for the camera
  • The musicians perform
  • Long shot of the Bowl
  • Two smile for the camera
  • The main singer performs

The first rose and fell with the classically styled symphony. Four movements and a wave of applause. Then, the cellist entered stage left and took the audience by storm. Each movement drew in the hearts of all attending through seemingly every high and low of the human experience. Ms. Weilerstein sped along with draw and pluck, then slowed for a dissonant suspense, upended the tension in release, and 鈥 in the words of a student 鈥 鈥渆xpressed the passion of Tchaikovsky鈥檚 work with utter nobility.鈥 The audience rose for its ovation, and Weilerstein gave an encore in return. An intermission, then the Bard鈥檚 story of feud, love, and tragedy came to life in the selections. A bombastic entrance gave way to tenderness, shattered by vengeance, and perishing in tragedy. The audience again rose, and the students absorbed the performance in rapture.

The drive back was marked by excited conversation over the arts experienced, followed by a Rosary, then restful dozing for the journey鈥檚 remainder. Once back to campus, students bedded down, pleased by the works seen and apprehended.

At today鈥檚 classes, they will venture into Pascal鈥檚 Wager and the works of J. Henri Fabre. See the Summer Program Blog this afternoon for details!